Obama Administration Cannot Continue to “Hollow Out the Force”

In discussing the Department of Defense’s upcoming budget request, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated “our approach was to use this as an opportunity to maintain the strongest military in the world, to not hollow out the force.” In reality, America’s enemies will quickly determine that the United States will not be able to cover its responsibilities worldwide.

The Secretary’s projections, which account for only preexisting Obama Administration cuts, include a reduction of Army ground forces from 562,000 to 490,000 troops—despite the fact that U.S. military readiness is already in a troubled state.

The President may proclaim confidence in America’s status as a global power, as he did in his recent State of the Union address. However, as his Administration systematically reduces the size and scope of the military, this claim becomes increasingly dubious. The U.S. fosters international relationships, provides security assurances to countries around the world, and helps ensure the free flow of goods and information globally through its forward-deployed military presence. America cannot afford to return to the force levels it had under Clinton when the Army scrambled to perform missions like Kosovo and Bosnia, let alone have the ability to maintain significant ground operations.

The primary constitutional role of the government is to provide for the common defense. The military accounts for less than a fifth of federal spending but has represented more than half of deficit-reduction efforts, while domestic spending has exploded. The Defense Department’s effort to address this issue is commendable; nevertheless, more needs to be done to ensure a viable national security force.

Brian Slattery is a research associate for Security Studies at The Heritage Foundation. In this capacity he advocates for a strong national defense and robust security enterprise. Brian focuses particularly on maritime security, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Arctic.

Join The Discussion

whole mess of people in vital positions recklessly rearranging priorities and because there's no accountability it'll kill us all. Obama mentioned the effect of reducing overseas troops with the illusion of more troops on the borders. They won't be on the borders as much as they'll be in our neighborhoods, at the grocery stores, banks and businesses. He's (and the mindsets) setting America up for civil unrest to enforce martial law. When George Soros gives the word!!!!!!!!! Who's protecting America? Where are the principled!!??

At the end of WWII in 1945, with the Democrats in power, the military was cut back to 1930's levels. Along came the Korean War in 1950. As North Korean tanks were advancing south of Seoul, near the hills outside Suwon, a U.S. Army company attempted to stop them with WWII era bazookas, which just bounced off of the Russian made T-33s. The cycle has repeated several times; Republicans strenghten the military and Democrats weaken the military.

Don’t have time to read the Washington Post or New York Times? Then get The Morning Bell, an early morning edition of the day’s most important political news, conservative commentary and original reporting from a team committed to following the truth no matter where it leads.

Email address

Ever feel like the only difference between the New York Times and Washington Post is the name? We do. Try the Morning Bell and get the day’s most important news and commentary from a team committed to the truth in formats that respect your time…and your intelligence.